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WAGA'S NEW STORM CHASER (MOBILE WEATHER LAB+)

gregg75

gregg75

Suprisingly it took this long for an Atlanta TV station to get a weather vehicle. I remember growing up in Charleston, SC Live 5 News (WCSC-TV) had one. Are they going to actually chase storms like the stations in the mid west?
 
I believe WSB-TV has some type of storm chase vehicle. Jason Durden tweeted a photo of a Hummer with a WSB storm graphics wrap on it several months ago. Don't know what WSB's vehicle capabilities are.. but if WAGA's has DOW (doppler on wheels) capabilities as alluded to in the release, then that's seriously cool.
 
Yeah, most other major Southern markets already have these. It seems like Atlanta is behind the curve on this considering it is the largest in the Deep South.
 
Superb innovation for weather in Atlanta, The Storm Team with The Storm Chaser looks like they will be on the very top of things!
 
Saw this thing last night during storm coverage. It looks pretty much like a regular
suv hatchback with a TV monitor inside, I think I was expecting more.

Could this be a bit over excitement on WAGA's part? It doesn't look as impressive as
the other regular TV vans you see around town.
 
Looks like there is more than just a monitor in that SUV, there is equipment all thru the vehicle and it is not all a monitor. Some of the pictures are of Ken sitting in the back seat with a computer and other equipment, no telling how much the total cost was for The Storm Chaser.
 
Somehow, I have to wonder about the liability issues...do we need more amateur "Storm Chasers" tearing up the roads in a storm?
Lots of kids are thinking it's cool to go on a wild ride already.

What's next from the FOX machine...? "Drug Chaser 4?" "Illegal Chaser 6?" "Hooker Patrol?" ;D
 
Kind of agree with you. I think a heavy storm might blow this thing off the road.
It will be interesting to see how well it functions covering tornadoes.
 
If they do it the way that Oklahoma TV stations do things, they won't send one out without a legitimately qualified person in there. A lot of the Oklahoma TV chasers have meteorology degrees, so they know what to look for and how to avoid the more dangerous areas.
 
kenglish said:
Somehow, I have to wonder about the liability issues...do we need more amateur "Storm Chasers" tearing up the roads in a storm?
Click to expand...

Define, in this instance, "amateurs". Aren't the wx folks at Fox 5 meteorologists? I mean, I'm not aware of a special storm chasing drivers-ed class for mets, are you?

G
 
upstate29651 said:
kenglish said:
Somehow, I have to wonder about the liability issues...do we need more amateur "Storm Chasers" tearing up the roads in a storm?
Click to expand...

Define, in this instance, "amateurs". Aren't the wx folks at Fox 5 meteorologists? I mean, I'm not aware of a special storm chasing drivers-ed class for mets, are you?

G
Click to expand...

I was thinking more along the lines of "copy cats" from the general public. But, I wonder if typical TV meteorologists are really qualified to race around "chasing" storms, too. Seems like you'd need some very special driving and navigation skills, as well as excellent weather prediction skills. Maybe some back-up from a couple of other radar sites, too....so nobody gets "boxed in" some place where they could get hurt.
 
With all of the "radar" apps available, and a good road map (not a GPS but a for real metro map book) there should not be any "danger" of being "boxed in". I assume they would have almost constant contact with someone in the WX. department at Fox 5 for extra protection.
 
Isn't it against the law in Georgia, to use an iPhone while driving? ;D
 
kenglish said:
upstate29651 said:
kenglish said:
Somehow, I have to wonder about the liability issues...do we need more amateur "Storm Chasers" tearing up the roads in a storm?
Click to expand...

Define, in this instance, "amateurs". Aren't the wx folks at Fox 5 meteorologists? I mean, I'm not aware of a special storm chasing drivers-ed class for mets, are you?

G
Click to expand...

I was thinking more along the lines of "copy cats" from the general public. But, I wonder if typical TV meteorologists are really qualified to race around "chasing" storms, too. Seems like you'd need some very special driving and navigation skills, as well as excellent weather prediction skills. Maybe some back-up from a couple of other radar sites, too....so nobody gets "boxed in" some place where they could get hurt.
Click to expand...

There are two really prohibitive things about storm chasing in the south... terrain and roads. Terrain is not our friend, because of the hills we have in Georgia. In Oklahoma, you can see for a mile or more in the distance, and chase safely from far away. Around GA, hills and pine trees get in the way and by the time you see the tornado, it sees you. As for the roads, most roadways in tornado alley are on a nice grid layout, so you can easily find a direct route out of the way of the storm, no matter which way it's heading. Zoom in fairly deep on Oklahoma in Google Maps and you'll see what I mean. Here, notsomuch.
 
kenglish said:
Isn't it against the law in Georgia, to use an iPhone while driving? ;D
Click to expand...

Yes. I assume (I know the first three letters will get you in trouble) there will be a "driver" and someone to actually take pictures, look at the maps (weather radar and road), and take videos or pictures. Every time I have watched the Weather's storm chasers shows there are two (or more) folks in each car or van. Mobil news vans can do the same but cost a lot more to deploy and to buy and generally are slower.


BTW: If you want to hear a wild weather chasing story, watch the story about the helicopter pilot who was doing traffic reports during the 1974 "super" outbreak in Louisville KY. It is usually part of either the Weather Channel or History Channel's "deadliest" storm shows.
 
You got to give WAGA credit for contracting new adventures into their company. You do not see other networks in Atlanta trying to advance into higher tech explorations. Anyone can knock the idea of the Storm Chaser, however, what is your favorite news meteorologist doing to better themselves?
 
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